Plan to honour the Gorebridge man who helped catch child killer

A campaign has been launched in Gorebridge to have a street named after the local man who helped catch child killer Robert Black.

David Herkes spent most of his life in Gorebridge before retiring to Stow. His quick thinking there in July 1990 led to the capture of serial killer Black, saving the life of his neighbour’s six-year-old daughter. Police had spent over a decade hunting Black, and if it hadn’t been for Mr Herkes’s swift actions Black could have preyed on many more young girls.

Mr Herkes passed away in 2012, aged 75. Gorebridge bus driver Gary Forbes (47), is currently gathering support for a street to be named after Mr Herkes in the town.

He said: “I have received a lot of support for naming a street after him. I spoke to the family, they were overwhelmed and gave their permission. He was well known here. He had a taxi for years and was also the funeral director on the main street.

“The community here see him as a hero. If it wasn’t for David how many other kids would there have been?

“There are a lot of new developments being built in Gorebridge, so to name one of the new streets after him would be such a honour.”

Provost Joe Wallace, who has the final decision on local street names, said he would be happy to consider the request when a new street in Gorebridge is being named.